Hackers Target Cannabis Dispensary Tracking Software

Hackers Target Cannabis Dispensary Tracking Software

Amidst all the current paranoia about hackers infiltrating the highest levels of American politics comes the disturbing news that software used by cannabis businesses in over 20 states was attacked and compromised.

The story was reported both by the cannabis industry trade website Marijuana Business Daily and tech sites that monitor such attacks, including Hackbusters and DataBreaches. The software, known as MJ Freeway, is used for “seed-to-sale” tracking of cannabis in states that have legalized or passed medical marijuana laws. The Denver-based company said its main servers and backup system both went down the morning of Jan. 8 and remained offline as of the next afternoon.

Comfortingly, Ward said encryption prevented the hackers from reading data about MJ Freeway’s retail clients. And the company emphasized that the attack affected only its currently operational system—not the new, overhauled platform it is just beginning to market. The new software is slated to be operational later this month at cannabis retailers that have signed up to use it.